Destination Guides
Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe centers a trip around Victoria Falls, one of the world's most spectacular waterfalls and a genuine bucket-list sight, while Hwange National Park offers excellent, less-crowded safari game viewing as a pairing. The dry season (May-October) brings the best wildlife viewing and, later in the season, the most dramatic (though sometimes reduced) views of the falls. A 6-8 day trip allows a few days at Victoria Falls plus a safari stay at Hwange or another nearby reserve. Because Victoria Falls can be visited from either the Zimbabwe or Zambia side, each offering a different vantage and experience, an advisor's guidance on which side (or both) fits a traveler's itinerary adds real value.
Local Etiquette & Cultural Tips
Zimbabwean culture is warm, respectful of elders, and shaped by both Indigenous Shona and Ndebele traditions and a British colonial past.
Friendly greetings: A handshake is standard, greetings are often extended and genuinely valued.
Dress respectfully: Neutral-colored, practical clothing for safari, modest dress in towns.
Dining times: Meals follow lodge schedules on safari, dinner in towns often from 7:00pm onward.
Local customs: A soft clap of the hands is a traditional gesture of thanks or greeting in Shona culture, a small but appreciated gesture to reciprocate if shown.
Transportation and timing: Small planes or transfers connect Victoria Falls to safari camps, a private guide and vehicle are standard for game drives.
Practical tip: The mist and spray from Victoria Falls can drench visitors at close range, especially at high water (roughly March-May), a rain poncho or waterproof layer is genuinely useful.
Souvenirs
For the Foodies: Zimbabwean coffee or a jar of local honey.
For the Fashionistas: A piece of handmade beadwork jewelry from a Victoria Falls artisan market.
For the Home: A hand-carved Shona stone sculpture, a distinctive and internationally recognized Zimbabwean art form.
Suggested Gratuities
Safari Guides/Drivers: $20-25 per group per day, often pooled and given at the end of a stay
Camp/Lodge Staff: $10-15 per person per day, often pooled into a communal staff tip box
Private Tour Guides (Victoria Falls): $15-20 per person for a half-day tour
Taxis: Round up the fare
Restaurants: 10% where not already included
Housekeeping: $2-3 per night
Porters: $1-2 per bag
Practical Travel Notes
Currency: US Dollar is widely used alongside local currency
Language: English, Shona, and Ndebele
Transportation: Small planes or transfers between Victoria Falls and safari camps
Weather: Dry season May-October is best for wildlife and clearer falls views, wet season November-April brings the falls to peak flow
Walking: Victoria Falls viewpoints involve paved but sometimes slippery paths, safari is mostly vehicle-based